Time to Celebrate Your Achievements

The AAMA Excel Awards bring recognition to the most excellent publications, promotions, people, and more!

How We Honor You

Award winners are formally saluted at an awards ceremony held during the AAMA Annual Conference.

All winners will be recognized on the AAMA website and in Medical Assisting Today, the association's official publication.

Several awards have additional rewards; click on each award's drop-downs to learn more.

Standout Students:

Submit an essay for a chance to win $1,000!
a crowd in front of a projector screen that reads "Leadership and Mentoring Award Patty Licurs, CMA (AAMA), CPC"

Eligibility

Entries that were produced and presented in final form between June 1, 2024, and June 1, 2025, are eligible. The submitters, nominators, and nominees must be AAMA members.

Submission Process

Excel Award entries must be submitted electronically. Print newsletters can be scanned and uploaded via the online entry form available below.

Entries that do not meet all the submission requirements will be automatically disqualified.

Questions? Email MarCom@aama-ntl.org, and Awards Committee staff liaisons will help.

Deadline

All submissions must be emailed by or have a postmark deadline of July 15, 2025


Awards

These awards bring recognition to the most excellent publications, promotions, people, and more!

Membership Awards

 

All state societies are automatically considered for these membership awards:

  • Membership Recruitment. Presented to the state societies showing the greatest percentage increase in members for the 2023 membership year. 
  • Membership Retention. Presented to the state societies with the greatest percentage retention of 202​​3 members for the 202​​4 membership year.
  • Student Membership Recruitment. Presented to the state societies showing the greatest percentage increase of student members for the 2023 membership year.

 

Certification Awards

All states are automatically considered for the Certification Awards, which are presented to the states with the greatest percentage increase of member CMAs (AAMA)®. The four winning states will be awarded a $100 cash prize and a certificate of recognition from the Certifying Board of the AAMA.

Awards of Distinction

 

Reward
Winners receive a trophy and a monetary award.

Restrictions
The following actions are prohibited:

  • Submitting for same winning nominee for the same award. Distinction winners can only win the award once. Repeat nominations for the same award are automatically disqualified.
  • Submitting for the same winning nominee for a different award. Distinction winners are ineligible for a different Distinction Award until three years has passed since their win.
  • Submitting a nomination for an AAMA BOT member. Currently serving BOT members are ineligible for the Awards of Distinction.

Awards of Distinction

Golden Apple Award Entry Form

Presented to the educator from a medical assisting program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) who supervisors and peers have nominated as a result of the nominee’s outstanding dedication to and accomplishments in the field of medical assisting education.

Such accomplishments might include extraordinary dedication to education activities on the national level; exceptional support of students; or contribution to the medical assisting body of knowledge (e.g., author of or major contributor to a medical assisting or health-related textbook).

Eligibility & Judging Criteria

Submitters must be AAMA members. Nominees must be AAMA members and CMAs (AAMA). Distinction winners can only win a particular award once, but they can be nominated for a different Distinction Award after three years. Currently serving Board of Trustees members cannot be nominated. But selection will favor those who have served on the national level.

 

Submitter's Information

Must be an AAMA member.

Nominee's Information

Must be a current CMA (AAMA) and AAMA member.
This information is used on the award certificate, trophy, and other materials.
Nominee's Mailing Address
The above is the nominee's

Required Document Uploads

These are required in order to submit the form.

Must include sample campaign materials.
A detailed statement listing specific accomplishments achieved by the nominee
(Tip: include work experience.)
(Tip: includes involvement at all three levels of AAMA membership, current CMA (AAMA) status, and emphasis on national achievements)
Upload at least two detailed letters of recommendation supporting the nominee's qualifications for the selected award.
Upload a headshot that the AAMA may use in awards announcements.
Acknowledgements

Confirm the following by selecting each checkbox:

Leadership and Mentoring Award Entry Form

Presented to the volunteer leader who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to help meet the goals of the AAMA and to promote, therefore, the professional identity and stature of its members, and the medical assisting profession by having displayed outstanding leadership and mentoring abilities on the national level.

Eligibility & Judging Criteria

Submitters must be AAMA members. Nominees must be AAMA members and CMAs (AAMA). Distinction winners can only win a particular award once, but they can be nominated for a different Distinction Award after three years. Currently serving Board of Trustees members cannot be nominated. But selection will favor those who have served on the national level.

 

Submitter's Information

Must be an AAMA member.

Nominee's Information

Must be a current CMA (AAMA) and AAMA member.
This information is used on the award certificate, trophy, and other materials.
Nominee's Mailing Address
The above is the nominee's

Required Document Uploads

These are required in order to submit the form.

Must include sample campaign materials.
A detailed statement listing specific accomplishments achieved by the nominee
(Tip: include work experience.)
(Tip: includes involvement at all three levels of AAMA membership, current CMA (AAMA) status, and emphasis on national achievements)
Upload at least two detailed letters of recommendation supporting the nominee's qualifications for the selected award.
Upload a headshot that the AAMA may use in awards announcements.
Acknowledgements

Confirm the following by selecting each checkbox:

Medical Assistant of the Year Award Entry Form

Presented to the medical assistant who has been nominated by peers as an exemplary professional medical assistant and has displayed outstanding commitment to advancing the profession through service on the national level.

Eligibility & Judging Criteria

Submitters must be AAMA members. Nominees must be AAMA members and CMAs (AAMA). Distinction winners can only win a particular award once, but they can be nominated for a different Distinction Award after three years. Currently serving Board of Trustees members cannot be nominated. But selection will favor those who have served on the national level.

 

Submitter's Information

Must be an AAMA member.

Nominee's Information

Must be a current CMA (AAMA) and AAMA member.
This information is used on the award certificate, trophy, and other materials.
Nominee's Mailing Address
The above is the nominee's

Required Document Uploads

These are required in order to submit the form.

Must include sample campaign materials.
A detailed statement listing specific accomplishments achieved by the nominee
(Tip: include work experience.)
(Tip: includes involvement at all three levels of AAMA membership, current CMA (AAMA) status, and emphasis on national achievements)
Upload at least two detailed letters of recommendation supporting the nominee's qualifications for the selected award.
Upload a headshot that the AAMA may use in awards announcements.
Acknowledgements

Confirm the following by selecting each checkbox:

State Society Excellence Awards

Excellence in Community Service Entry Form

Recognizes the best state society health-related community service programs (e.g., health awareness walks or events, blood drives, and food drives).

Eligibility

Only one submission per state society will be eligible for an Excel or Achievement Award.

Judging Criteria

Entries are judged on the program, including creativity, marketing medium (including print, electronic, and social media), general impact, and success in meeting the stated objectives for the program. Printed pieces are judged on effectiveness, writing, and design.

 

Submitter's Information

Must be an AAMA member.

Preferred Mailing Address
The above is my

Excellence in Community Service Entry Information

This title will be displayed on the certificate if this program wins the award.
Describe the event or activity, goals, intended audience(s), and results in 400 to 500 words.

Required Document Uploads

These are required in order to submit the form.

Must include sample campaign materials.
(Social media posts are also accepted.)
Acknowledgements

Confirm the following by selecting each checkbox:

Excellence in Marketing, Promotion, and Recruitment Entry Form

Recognizes the best state society campaign for such activities as recruiting members; promoting the CMA (AAMA) and the association; and marketing a special event (e.g., Medical Assistants Recognition Week or a state meeting).

Eligibility

Only one submission per state society will be eligible for an Excel or Achievement Award.

Judging Criteria

Entries are judged on creativity, marketing medium (including print, electronic, and social media), general impact, and success in meeting the stated objectives. Printed pieces are judged on effectiveness, writing, and design.

 

Submitter's Information

Must be an AAMA member.

Preferred Mailing Address
The above is my

Award Entry Information

This title will be displayed on the certificate if this campaign wins the award.
Describe the event or activity, goals, intended audience(s), and results in 400 to 500 words.

Required Document Uploads

These are required in order to submit the form.

Must include sample campaign materials.
Samples of all relevant, printed campaign pieces, such as brochures, posters, flyers, electronic communications, and social media messaging
Acknowledgements

Confirm the following by selecting each checkbox:

Excellence in Publishing Entry Form

Recognizes the best state society newsletters (including e-newsletters) and editors

Eligibility

State societies may submit multiple entries, but only one submission per state society will be eligible for an Excel or Achievement Award.

Judging Criteria

Entries are judged on content (including national, state, and chapter news items, educational pieces, and information on continuing education), frequency, editing, writing, and design.

Submitter's Information

Must be an AAMA member.

Preferred Mailing Address
The above is my

Excellence in Publishing Entry Information

Required Document Uploads

These are required in order to submit the form.

Must include a copy of each issue published between June 1, 2024, and June 1, 2025.
Include each issue published between June 1, 2024, and June 1, 2025
Acknowledgements

Confirm the following by selecting each box.

Excellence in Website Development Entry Form

Recognizes the best state society website and web chairs.

Eligibility

Only one submission per state society will be eligible for an Excel or Achievement Award.

Judging Criteria

Entries are judged on overall effectiveness, including navigation, functionality, content, design, and marketing.

 

Submitter's Information

Must be an AAMA member.

Preferred Mailing Address
The above is my

Excellence in Website Development Entry Information

Describe your state society's website's goals, intended audience(s), marketing strategies, and 2025 developments or improvements in 400 to 500 words.

Optional Document Uploads

Additional information is not required, but if you have additional materials you'd like to share, you may do so by uploading them here.

Examples: Visual comparisons of the state society's old website vs. the new website.
Acknowledgements

Confirm the following by selecting each checkbox:

Other

Student Essay Competition Entry Form

Enter for a chance to win $1,000 and be celebrated* at the 2025 AAMA Annual Conference in Arlington, Virginia!

The winner will also be recognized on the AAMA website and in Medical Assisting Today, the association's official publication.

*If the winner cannot attend, we ask that the winner kindly submit a recorded acceptance speech that the AAMA may play during the award ceremony.

Eligibility

You are eligible to enter if you are enrolled in and have completed at least one quarter or semester at a college-level medical assisting program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).

Judging Criteria

Essay entries will be judged based on writing quality, content, and overall effectiveness. Entries that do not meet all the submission requirements will automatically be disqualified. All entries become the property of the AAMA and will not be returned.

Submitter's Information

Preferred Mailing Address
Submit contact information that will allow us to reach you in the fall. if we cannot reach you, we cannot give you the award.
The above is my
Submit contact information that will allow us to reach you in the fall. if we cannot reach you, we cannot give you the award.

Academic Institution's Information

(Note: Must have a CAAHEP- and ABHES-accredited medical assisting program.)

Required Document to Upload

Submit a 400-500 word essay answering this question:

Describe your strategies for professional development as a medical assistant and how you will advocate for the profession's essential role on the health care team.

Upload a Microsoft Word .doc or .docx format
Acknowledgements

Confirm the following by selecting each checkbox:

AAMA Rising Star Awards Entry Form

Presented to AAMA members in the early years of their medical assisting career and AAMA leadership journey for being outstanding leaders and demonstrable influences on their state society or local chapter.

Recognize the next generation of AAMA leaders by nominating worthy recipients for the AAMA Rising Star Awards. Use this opportunity to acknowledge their success and welcome them into the amazing AAMA leaders network that can help them reach their fullest potential.

Eligibility & Judging Criteria

Nominees must meet the following requirements:

  • Be within the first five to seven years of their medical assisting career
  • Be an AAMA member and a credentialed medical assistant for at least two years
  • Have demonstrated dedication as a state society or chapter champion (being a past or current officer is not required)

Submitter's Information

Nominee's Information

Only one submission per nominee will be accepted. Self-nominations are not permitted. Please notify your state society president that you are submitting this nomination.

Must be an AAMA member and credentialed medical assistant for at least two years.
This information is used on the award certificate, trophy, and other materials.
Nominee's Mailing Address
The above is the nominee's

Required Document Uploads

These are required in order to submit the form.

Must include sample campaign materials.
A detailed statement of what the nominee has contributed to their state society or local chapter (no more than 750 words)
(Tip: include work experience and state society experience.)
Upload at least one detailed letter of recommendation from an instructor or employer supporting the nominee's qualifications for the award.)
Upload at least one detailed letter of recommendation from a past or current state society president supporting the nominee's qualifications for the award.)
Upload a headshot that the AAMA may use in awards announcements.
Acknowledgements

Confirm the following by selecting each checkbox:

Medical Assistant Employer of the Year Awards Entry Form

Presented to up to four medical practices, facilities, or health systems that employ medical assistants and are strong supporters of professional growth, particularly in the areas of certification, recertification, professional membership, and networking.

 

Eligibility & Judging Criteria

Submitters must be AAMA members.

Judging is based upon the medical institution’s employment and professional support of medical assistants and letters of recommendation. 

All areas of the entry form must be completed, including the accurate reporting of the total number of medical assistants and all employees with proof from the medical practice, facility, or health system.

If all information is not received, the submission will not be considered.

Letters of Recommendation

The letters may be from AAMA members and/or information about any of the following areas of support (unreported areas will be assumed nonapplicable to the nominee):

Certification and Recertification Support

  • Supports hiring credentialed medical assistants by employing a significant percentage of credentialed medical assistants as well as CMAs (AAMA)® out of all medical assistants
  • Celebrates Medical Assistants Recognition Week
  • Provides financial support for certification and recertification application fees
  • Supports continuing education (e.g., session attendance, article submissions for state newsletter)

Professional Membership and Networking Support

  • Supports AAMA membership (e.g., financial support for dues)
  • Supports professional networking (e.g., donations to chapter and state meetings, national conferences, acts as presenter or recommends speaker)
  • Provides career advancement and professional growth opportunities for medical assistants within the practice

Additional Support

  • Letters of recommendation providing inspirational testimonials attesting to other ways the employer recognizes the value of medical assistants on the health care team (e.g., Employee of the Month Award, workplace newsletter story, other forms of workplace recognition)

Submitter's Information

Must be an AAMA member.

Nominee's Information

(Medical Practice, Facility, or Health System)

Nominee's Mailing Address
Total Number of Employees

Award categories are based on the total number of employees in the medical practices, facilities, or health systems at the time of submission (e.g., physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals).

Required Document Uploads

These are required in order to submit the form.

Must include proof of employee totals, at least two letters of recommendation, and a group photo or company logo the AAMA may use when announcing the winners.
Include documentation such as an employer's confirmation of the totals in a letter.
The letters may be from AAMA members and/or information about any of the noted areas of support listed in the judging criteria section (unreported areas will be assumed nonapplicable to the nominee).
Upload an image that the AAMA may use in awards announcements.
Acknowledgements

Confirm the following by selecting each checkbox:

More Information

Judging Information

The publishing, marketing, website development, community service, membership, and certification awards will be judged based on the number of members in the state society as of Jan. 1, 202​5:

Section A = ​175 members or fewer
Section B = ​176–​400 members
Section C = ​401–​900 members
Section D = ​901 members or more

Findings of the judges are subject to review by the AAMA Board of Trustees. The decision of the judges is final, and the judges reserve the right to grant no award if there are no entries of sufficient merit. Judging materials and individual scoring decisions are confidential. 

Submission Policies for All Awards

Members of the AAMA Board of Trustees cannot do the following:

  • Submit any entries on behalf of their state society for any of the State Society Excellence Awards
  • Submit a nomination for any of the Awards of Distinction or the Medical Assistant Employer of the Year Awards
  • Write a letter of recommendation for any of the Awards of Distinction, the Medical Assistant Employer of the Year Awards, and the student essay competition

These submissions will be automatically disqualified.